Sagemonoya (Netsuke Shop)

They released new catalog The 2009 New York SANS IVOIRE Netsuke and Sagemono selection. Sad to say I love ivory netsukes best, but this booklet seems very interesting and useful.

In fact, I had once visited Sagemonoya several years ago. It was like being a guest in private residence of a great netsuke (and other Japanese antique) connoisseur, and somewhat intimidating experience. I didn't know what kind of place it was, in the first place. I was expecting to visit a little 'shop' of netsuke... Though, if you are really interested in this kind of art and are in Tokyo, I strongly recommend to visit them.

Sagemonoya (English site)

At Jimbocho (Bookshop District)

Tokyo Guide (Kanda, Jimbocho & Ochanomizu)

Kabuki-za At Night

I entered Kabuki-za only once and long ago, when I was an university student. As far as I can remember, the upper gallery was somewhat cramped, and also very barriar-ful...(I mean, hard to climb up there.) This exotic building is scheduled for demolition in May 2010. I (and a great many people) will miss this outstanding landmark!
Kabuki-za to be reincarnated in form of commercial high-rise(Kyodo News)

Kingfisher

Today I saw a kingfisher for the first time in my life (see left, in yellow circle.) I had brought my binoculars so I could see it quite clear. It was so beautiful, really shining and it is a shame my photo is so sloppy. It is just impossible to take picture of birds properly with my cigarette-case camera, it takes something like below:

By the way, the location of these photos is by a pond in Hikarigaoka Park (former Grant Heights.)

In The Subway

Today I rode the subway in daytime and found about 3 to 5 people (mainly women) out of a dozen in the car were wearing face masks. I also learned that what I bought were actually 'respirators,' not face masks. Until now, I used to believe respirator is some kind of device used for maintaining artificial respiration.

Masks/Respirators

Places I Want To Visit

Ben's Cafe
According to their website above, they seem to serve very rich looking cocoa swelling out of the cup! They also serve British-style breakfasts and I have been longing to taste English breakfast... Ben's Cafe is in Takadanobaba, Tokyo.

Yogen Cafe (Japanese)
In Takadanobaba there is a place named 'Yogen Cafe' (Prophecy Cafe.) It belongs to CI Asia Tokyo Christ Church. Workers there bring a message from God for customers, and there is always a long queue in front of that cafe, a friend of mine told me. According to their website (above, only in Japanese), they also serve limited and expensive (3,000yen!) cup of Kopi Luwak. Sounds quite interesting.